Jefferson Street Baptist Center - Louisville, KY's Oldest Gospel Mission

Your Youth Group Can Help the Homeless!

JSBC Admin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:45:42 +0000

Jefferson Street Baptist Center is looking for youth groups to take home our bottles and fill them with spare change to raise funds for the ministry that happens at JSBC.

And just to keep things interesting, we’re encouraging a friendly boys vs. girls competition!

To pick up your own bottles and get started, contact Jesse Eubanks.

After you pick up as many bottles as you need from JSBC, our Change for Change campaign has four simple steps:

About Jesse Eubanks

Jesse Eubanks is the Hope for Louisville Director at Jefferson Street Baptist Center. His wife Lindsay and their two children live in the Shelby Park neighborhood near downtown Louisville.

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HOPE for Louisville: Don’t Withhold Your Mercy

Brad Brown — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:12:25 +0000

Don’t Withhold Your Mercy

11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD;
may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
12 For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.
13 Be pleased to save me, LORD;
come quickly, LORD, to help me. Psalm 40

Where is hope in a world so cold? Many times have I walked the halls of the Day Shelter, where our homeless friends come in for relief, and I come under a spell of cynicism. I see many people here day-in and day-out; some have been coming here for 10 years or more. I see violence and anger; I see those lost in addiction and those who have all but lost their humanity. The task of helping our guests sometimes seems too great to me. Sometimes I see my dear friends in our recovery program repeatedly fail in conquering their addictions and losing it all in a place which offers so much promise. I ask, what can be done in the face of such brokenness?

I always had such starry-eyed optimism before I came and actually started doing life here among the poor instead of just reading about it in a text book. On the outside I was always so isolated from the hurt and despair. “We can solve all the issues, given dedication and heart!” No. No we can’t. The problems are beyond human power because the problems extend from innate human wickedness. It takes God to solve the issues, and nothing less. Sin surrounds us so that we cannot even see. God has to help us. Nay, God must rescue us.

We on the outside of material poverty do not often feel the full sting of the brokenness of the world. We have food, shelter, entertainment and luxury. We are comfortable. We don’t always feel how hard and unfair the world can be. But brokenness is there. We have our own addictions and sins; we just happen to be fortunate enough that our particular sins and addictions don’t fully destroy our mortal, temporal lives here on earth. But they still lead to spiritual death.

What I am saying is, in the eyes of God, we are all equally broken. You and I are just as broken, according to God, as the drunk homeless man throwing up down the street. We may not think so, but the truth is God sees us, in our rebellion against Him, the same as we see that homeless man – revolting and pitiable. Yet, God is pleased to save us all, regardless, through faith in His Son out of His immeasurable love.

My friend Watson is addicted to drugs and alcohol. He uses these to put aside his sorrows, but they only destroy him and make his sorrows increase. Yet he is a brother in my church, and at the full tide of his strength he can articulate the Gospel clearly and with passion in ways that I cannot. He can be fun and an encouragement to be around, sometimes helping other residents out with their own problems. Sometimes, though, he falls back into his addiction, even though he does not want to, and makes a mess of his life. But I still love him.

Can you scoff at Watson, really? Take a look at yourself. Surely you have some secret addiction or sin that you cannot shake. Greed, lust, anger. You always go back to it. Watson’s addiction just happens to be a deadly substance. I cannot love Watson enough to get him through his addictions. I cannot even love myself enough to get through my own addictions. God can, though. And it is God who we profess and preach here at Jefferson Street.

We can try to modify people’s behavior to not chase after things that will kill them. But it only works for a time. Our natural, fallen mode is that of spiritual suicide; a disdain of life. At Jefferson Street we seek to see more than behavior modification. We hope (hope is all we can do, in the end) to see each person become a New person. To change from the inside out. We hope for God to impart his Spirit into the men and women here and make them people who desire and chase after life. When this happens, no longer does someone just resist addiction through willpower, but they are a new person that no longer desires sin. Only God imparts this gift, and it is mysterious. It is also a process.

It is a process that takes time and commitment. It takes resources. I want you to consider being part of this process if you have not already. Please consider financially donating to my cause, praying for Jefferson Street, or spreading the word to friends and family about what is happening here. Let God work through you! Do not withhold your mercy!

Go with Peace,

Bradley M Brown

TO DONATE TO HOPE:

Send a check to JSBC, Attn: HOPE, 733 East Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY 40202.

Please write my personal account ID (HOPE-1112-BB1) on the memo line,

but do not write my name anywhere on the check as this may negate

the tax-deductibility.

OR donate online at http://www.razoo.com/story/Brad

Stay up-to-date with the latest news, ministry needs and blog updates at www.jeffersonstreet.org.

Total Received: $5,595. Total Needed: $8,800.

About Bradley Brown

Bradley Brown is serving for a year in the HOPE for Louisville Program. He has served the last two summers as well. He was born and raised in Ashland, Kentucky and attended Morehead State University and earned a degree in Government. He enjoys reading, learning, creating and playing games, intellectual conversation, nonsensical conversation, talking politics and religion, and meeting new people.

Media Newsletter: February 2012 – “A Mess Called Love”

Rachel Szabo — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:01:31 +0000

Do you know how to love someone in all situations?

Luke seemed to be doing so well. He was a resident at Jeff. Street during my first HOPE term. Yet after leaving and being away for over a year, he had once again enrolled in our residential recovery program. This time Luke was a very different person. Whereas before he was constantly moody and easily angered, now he held pleasant conversations and helped out with anything he could. I heard him say he was in a much better place now than the first time he lived at Jeff. Street. (Read my friend Josh’s blog for a beautiful story about Luke.)

One day last month, Luke came to sit in the cafeteria. I asked how he was doing. “Not too good,” he said. “I’m leaving today.” He said it so matter-of-factly I wasn’t sure if he was serious or not. “Leaving? How come?” I asked. “I blew it too big this time. They’re kicking me out.”

Getting involved in people’s lives requires love, and loving people is tricky business. Sometimes love means extending grace; sometimes, as in Luke’s case, it means issuing hard consequences. Love seeks out what is ultimately best for the recipient in the long-run, regardless of what either party may want at the time. It takes great wisdom to genuinely love others. Wisdom and a complete denial of self-interest.

For about a year now, I have had a gripping bout of depression and disordered eating.
Yet I say these things not because I am a special case. On the contrary, I am just like Luke and every other person at Jeff. Street, be it staff, residents, or day shelter guests. I am swayed by idols and bent on selfishness. Yet my God, through both grace and discipline, continues to do what is going to be best for me. He continues to love me. And since genuine love takes wisdom and selflessness, then God is the only one who can really do it. Because He is ultimate wisdom and ultimate sacrifice.

The people we interact with at Jeff. Street do not ultimately need us to love them. We will be selfish, and we will fail. God is the only one who loves right. They need God to love them, which He does.

“God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

This is the Gospel, my friend. Will you help us proclaim it here in Louisville?

“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers” (1 John 3:16). Jeff. Street is in need of financial support. I ask you to exercise love by wisely sacrificing and giving to our ministry. And I am so thankful for those who already do.

Last month we launched our “Why Do You Run?” fundraising campaign. If you are a runner, or you know someone who likes to run, you will want to watch this short video and learn more.

Also, I personally have $1,860 left to raise for my internship. Please help me fulfill my goal in my remaining two and a half months.

Grace and Peace,

Rachel Szabo

About Rachel Szabo

Rachel, originally from Florence, Kentucky, has moved to Louisville as a JSBC media intern. Rachel enjoys anything to do with the arts and has an unusual passion for eating broccoli.

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser (photoblog)

Rachel Szabo — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:05:05 +0000

We were so blessed from the pancake breakfast held at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary on February 4th!

The event was held for SBTS and Boyce students as a benefit for JSBC. We were hopeful for 125 attendees and were completely blown away when 250 people came to show their support! All these people were able to raise a grand total of $450!

Thank you to everyone who made this breakfast such a wonderful morning! The response was truly phenomenal!

We hope to make this an annual event; be sure to make plans to join us next year!

About Rachel Szabo

Rachel, originally from Florence, Kentucky, has moved to Louisville as a JSBC media intern. Rachel enjoys anything to do with the arts and has an unusual passion for eating broccoli.

February Urgent Needs

Rachel Szabo — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:53:23 +0000

Receiving donations of items we use every day really helps keep our ministry up and running. You can help the homeless and hurting this month by providing these daily supplies:

Paper Items:
Paper Towels
Toilet Paper
Garbage Bags (39 gal.)
Styrofoam/Paper Plates
Plastic/Styrofoam Cups (8 oz; 16 oz.)
Styrofoam Bowls
Plastic Cutlery

Cleaning Supplies:
S.O.S. Soap Pads (for pots and pans)
Glass Cleaner
Pine Cleaner
Household Room Spray
Oven Cleaner

Personal Items:
Deodorant
Razors
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Men’s & Women’s Socks

Misc. Items:
Large Rain Ponchos (Many of our guests have had difficulty being prepared for Louisville’s wet winter this year.)

Items can be delivered Monday-Friday, 7:30 am-3:30 pm, to 733 E. Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY 40202.
For weekend or after-hour drop-off, please call 502.584.6543

About Rachel Szabo

Rachel, originally from Florence, Kentucky, has moved to Louisville as a JSBC media intern. Rachel enjoys anything to do with the arts and has an unusual passion for eating broccoli.

Hope for Louisville: “…That Saved a Wretch Like Me…”

Josh Smith — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:04:37 +0000

“…THAT SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME…”

“I was so drunk that I had blacked out. I don’t remember it at all, but I was told that I beat him to death, literally. I beat him so bad that he wasn’t recognizable.”

The first time I heard these words spoken, I couldn’t believe they were actual words coming from my friend. I and a few other men were discussing different parts of life here at Jeff. St. late one evening, “How God is working in our lives” and “How we can be praying for one another.” As I watched the pain and the shame appear all over Luke’s face, I began to feel the same pain he had. He continued, “That man’s son, Pete, comes into the shelter. When helping out downstairs and Pete is around, I begin to become so stressed that I have to leave the area to calm down. I am so scared that the repercussion of my sins are going to be avenged.” Luke was afraid that Pete wanted to take revenge. After Luke told us this huge part of his story, he tried to hold back tears as we prayed for him. Luke looked around after the prayer, and I could see he had allowed God to settle his spirit. The Holy Spirit had given him strength.

A couple months of both good and bad days serving in the shelter have gone by for Luke. Once the new program for the residents started the first of January, he found out the program would have a new set-up. In this new set-up the residents help out in the shelter as part of the criteria. A few weeks ago Luke was serving in the shelter when Pete unexpectedly came up to the counter to ask for the normal soap, towel, washcloth and other things needed to clean up for the day. Luke froze for a moment, and as he stuttered through asking what he could get Pete, he also confronted him about the obvious elephant in the room.

“Can I get you anything, money or anything? Whatever you want, just know that I am incredibly sorry!” Luke was trying to say what he could, what he knew to say to the best of his knowledge.

Pete had no hesitation. “S**t happens. Don’t worry about it, man.” Grace. Luke never expected true grace and forgiveness. We as humans can’t fathom what complete forgiveness looks like. A forgiveness like the Father’s. But when people are able to find a way to forgive us, like Pete did for Luke, we see a perfect example of how the Holy Spirit can fill our hearts and work in our lives! The writer of Romans discusses the gift of the Holy Spirit from God, the relationship He shares with us, and the experiences we go through in life. Romans 5:1-5 says:

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

Because of the grace given to us, we are able to show the same amount of grace through our faith and the power of the Holy Spirit.

The passage in Romans goes on to talk of how Christ was crucified for the sinners and the ungodly. We have difficulty grasping God wants a relationship with us based on the sole fact that he loves us no matter who we were in the past. He loved and still loves Luke as well as Pete. Donald Miller, the author of Blue Like Jazz, put it this way: “…sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself…” Luke was never really shown that he was able to be loved, let alone shown that a God who created the universe desired to have a loving relationship with him. Miller also says, “It occurs to me it is not so much the aim of the devil to lure me with evil as it is to preoccupy me with the meaningless.” Because of Pete’s example, Luke has tangibly experienced the love that God personally has for all of us.

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” Romans 5:6-11

I love listening to stories and telling stories of how God works through each one of his masterpieces. Without the generous gifts that many brothers and sisters of Christ have given financially I would not be able share these amazing stories with you. I know that God is doing an amazing work here at Jeff. St. and would like to continue to see his hands at work. So I pray that you continue to give financially.

With joy,

Josh Smith
jsmith@jeffersonstreet.org

TO DONATE TO HOPE:

Send a check to JSBC, Attn: HOPE, 733 East Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY 40202. Please write my personal account ID (HOPE-1112-JS1) on the memo line, but do not write my name anywhere on the check as this may negate the tax-deductibility. Or donate online at http://www.razoo.com/story/Story-Joshsmith

Stay up-to-date with the latest news, ministry needs and blog updates at www.jeffersonstreet.org.

Total Received: $2,795. Total Needed $8,800.

Please help me reach my yearly goal!

Volunteer Highlight – Quentin Hill

Rachel Szabo — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:03:15 +0000

Get to know weekend volunteer Quentin Hill! We asked him to share a little about himself.

Do you have any intersting nicknames?
“Q-Tipz, Q-ball, Q. Pretty much anything with a stand-alone “Q” in it….and Twig/Twiggy!”

What is your current occupation?
“Machinist/ CNC Machinist.”

What are some of your hobbies?
“Drums, Triathlon (swimming, biking, running,) fishing, camping.”

Tell us your favorite…

Place to eat:
“Spinillies, but I don’t eat much there anymore because I’m trying to keep my diet as healthy as possible, haha!”

Book you’ve read:
“Besides the Bible? I really don’t read. I really liked Holes when I read it in 5th grade.”

Singer/band:
“Without a doubt, it has to be Thrice.”

How long have you been volunteering at JSBC?
“I’ve been volunteering at Jeff. Street for right around two years now.”

How did you hear about JSBC?
“I heard about Jeff. Street through Carla Cassell (another volunteer), who heard about it through one of her friends, and we started coming together.”

What have you learned while volunteering?
“I’ve learned, first, that homeless people aren’t ‘homeless people’ at all; they’re people just like me who have just hit a rough patch of life. Secondly, to truly count my blessings and to use my blessings to help others.”

Why would you recommend volunteering at JSBC to others?
“I would recommend Jeff. Street to others simply because what they’re doing is truly awesome. It’s a place where the homeless can go to receive shelter physically, but also more importantly, spiritual shelter by introducing the guests to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! It doesn’t get much more awesome than that!”

You’re a runner. Why should runners get involved in our “Why Do You Run?” campaign?
Because we are blessed to even be able to walk, nonetheless run. God had given us the health and ability to do so, so “Why Do You Run?” is a very good way to glorify Him by using His blessing to help the homeless.

Thanks Quentin for helping us share the Good News of Jesus Christ among Louisville’s homeless and hurting!

Want to learn more about volunteering? Check out our three volunteering options.

About Rachel Szabo

Rachel, originally from Florence, Kentucky, has moved to Louisville as a JSBC media intern. Rachel enjoys anything to do with the arts and has an unusual passion for eating broccoli.

Pancake Breakfast for SBTS/Boyce Students

Rachel Szabo — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:51:35 +0000

Jefferson Street Baptist Center invites students of Boyce College and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary to join us for a special morning!

Join us the morning of February 4th, at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary’s Heritage Hall,

for all-you-can-eat pancakes! Tickets available at the door.

The morning will also feature several videos and information from JSBC representatives.

All proceeds will benefit the ministry of JSBC.

About Rachel Szabo

Rachel, originally from Florence, Kentucky, has moved to Louisville as a JSBC media intern. Rachel enjoys anything to do with the arts and has an unusual passion for eating broccoli.

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Urban Ministry Internship through SBTS

HOPE for Louisville: Poverty the Beast

Brad Brown — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:58:58 +0000

Poverty the Beast

Poverty. What is it? Why is it a problem? Where does it come from? How do you define it?

“Poverty is the result of relationships that do not work, that are not just, that are not for life, that are not harmonious or enjoyable. Poverty is the absence of shalom in all its meanings.”

What is interesting about this definition? Does it differ from yours?

I for one, like most other Americans, carried a material definition of poverty. That is, I thought poverty was considered as mainly a lack of material resources (money, food, etc.). People’s problem was they just did not have enough stuff. People were hungry, homeless, and ashamed simply because they did not have enough money. As a result of this view I thought the answer to poverty was also a material one. Give people more stuff and more money and they would be OK. I could not have been more wrong!

Poverty is a complex problem that warrants a complex solution. Poverty is a hungry, multi-headed beast. Poverty is much more than a lack of material resources (although that is often a miserable part of it). Real poverty is really a poverty of relationship. Every person to some extent suffers from a broken relationship with God, the self, with others, and with the rest of creation. These broken relationships manifest themselves in different ways.

God: This is our primary relationship; the other three flow from this one. Human beings’ primary purpose is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. This is our calling, the ultimate reason for which we were created. We were created to serve and give praise with our thoughts and actions. This leads to ultimate joy and true richness of life. A broken relationship here leads to a loss of meaning. We then assign meaning to material possessions or other idols.

Self: People are uniquely created in the image of God and have inherent worth and dignity. Crushing feelings of worthlessness plague the poor.

Others: God created us to live in loving relationship with one another. We are not islands! In a poverty of community, though, we become self-centered and exploit or abuse others.
Rest of Creation: God created us to be stewards, people who understand, subdue, and manage the world God has created in order to produce bounty. God called humans to interact with creation, make possibilities into realities, and be able to sustain ourselves via the fruits of our stewardship. A broken relationship here leads us to be lazy or, inversely, a workaholic, and we lose our sense of purpose.

Every day at Jefferson St. I encounter people who are materially poor, but the extent of their problem is so much more than a lack of money. What makes them poor is that they suffer from broken relationships in these four areas. Many do not know who God is or about His character. Therefore, they have no meaning in life but to simply exist and do not live with wisdom. A man who is homeless and not living in the light of God’s lordship will, like many of us, find his identity in what our culture says makes a man: money and power. Yet the homeless have neither of these. Crushing self-esteem issues follow. The man lives in relative isolation, walking from one stop to the next, having no place to live and dig roots, growing harder and more bitter towards others as he deals with the harshness of the street and the society from which he is outcast. Finally, having no esteem and rejecting community and others outright, the man is left with no will to work or be a steward by fulfilling his call to glorify God through work. He has no respect for self, for others, or life. He falls into drug or alcohol addictions, looking for the life he knows he lacks or for numbness.

Giving this man $1,000 a month and telling him to get a place to live and food to eat would not solve his poverty. He would probably spend the money foolishly on things that do not give life, sending him right back where he started. He would still suffer from broken relationships, being just as empty with money as he was without it. The only way to be whole again is with wisdom and spiritual knowledge.

Our goal is not to make the guests at Jefferson St. into middle or upper-class Americans. Truth be told, we are just as poor; we just happen to have wealth. We place our value in our stuff and as long as we have it we are fine and dandy. We live a pitiful charade.

Here at Jefferson St. we seek to shatter that charade. Sure, we try to equip our residents with the skills, character development, and Biblical wisdom that can lead to a life above suffocating material poverty, but we equip our friends for more than that. The residents who make it through here successfully are on the path to becoming far more wealthy than any of the high-rollers living the big life in the sky-scrapers and mansions that overlook our city.

As I have tried to detail, here at Jefferson St. we believe in a highly complex idea of what poverty is. It is more than a physical problem; it is a spiritual problem, and all of us are poor apart from the mercy of God entering relationship with us through Christ. Help us give these men and women a chance– donate to my cause. Fighting poverty takes more than a few dollars; it takes a commitment. If you cannot commit to help financially, commit to praying for us!

Go with Peace,

-Bradley M Brown

A special thanks to my friend Rachel Collins and her family’s astoundingly generous contribution! I thank the rest of my donors as well. Support has greatly increased at the turn of this new year. Thank God!

TO DONATE TO HOPE:

Send a check to JSBC, Attn: HOPE, 733 East Jefferson Street, Louisville, KY 40202.

Please write my personal account ID (HOPE-1112-BB1) on the memo line,

but do not write my name anywhere on the check as this may negate

the tax-deductibility.

OR donate online at http://www.razoo.com/story/Brad

Stay up-to-date with the latest news, ministry needs and blog updates at www.jeffersonstreet.org.

Total Received: $5,380. Total Needed: $8,800.

About Bradley Brown

Calling All Runners!

JSBC Admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:47:46 +0000

“Why Do You Run?” is simple:

1. Sign-up
2. Raise support through sponsors
3. Run your race and help those in need!

Check out these sample pages:

HOW TO SIGN UP:

It’s quick and easy! Visit our Why Do You Run Team Page at Razoo.com. Under the “Join This Team” box, click “Fundraise”. Razoo will hold your hand step-by-step the rest of the way! Within minutes, you will be ready to ask your friends and family to support the incredible work of JSBC!

VIDEO LINK:

Just click here if you want to include the “Why Do You Run?” video link and copy the url into the images/video section of your Razoo page.

About Jesse Eubanks

Jesse Eubanks is the Hope for Louisville Director at Jefferson Street Baptist Center. His wife Lindsay and their two children live in the Shelby Park neighborhood near downtown Louisville.